Lucia Starbuck, On Reporting About the Homeless in Reno

"Our Town Reno is a little experimental, so sometimes we just have one voice for a story. But I'm still going into it as a journalist and these folks do not have an incentive to lie or make things up. They are so honest all the time, so people kind of get mad at that. For example, I did a story on a sign in a McDonald's that said you can't be here for more than 30 minutes. I was like, ‘Hmm, I wonder if this targets houseless individuals?’ I went down there to interview folks about the sign and I interviewed someone who was staying in the shelter and she totally approved of the sign and she’s like, ‘I’m trying to eat here. I don't want people hanging out for more than 30 minutes.’ Like, totally honest. "Former Our Town Reno reporter Lucia Starbuck recently graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, and began working for other media outlets, including This is Reno and KUNR. Before her departure, she took the time to speak with colleague and fellow Our Town Reno reporter Scott King for a Q&A to share what her experience has been like reporting for our street collective. Get full access to Our Town Reno Newsletter at ourtownreno.substack.com/subscribe